Boat and trailer construction



Oct. 22, 1940. J. v. DAVlS BOAT AND TRAILER CONSTRUCTION Filed May 24, 1938 INVENTOR. John V. Davis.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 22, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE BOAT AND TRAILER CONSTRUCTION John V. Davis, Detroit, Mich.

Application May 24, 1938, Serial No. 209,703

2 Claims.

My invention relates to boats and-an object of my improvements is an improved construction adapting a boat to be used as a trailer for automobiles.

I secure this object in the apparatus shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig; 1 is a side'elevation of a boat embodying my invention and so much of an automobile as is necessary to show its connection therewith;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the rear portion of the boat shown in Fig. 1; a

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line,l1IIII,

Fig. 4 is a detail section on the line IV-IV, Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is 'a. section on the line VV, Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail elevation illustrating the way of securing the wheel bracket in operative position;

Fig. 7 is a detail section on the line VIIVII, Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a detail elevation showing the support for the wheel. 1

2 indicates the hull of the boat, 2a indicates a strengthening iron, supporting the bow and the fore-part of the keel, and 3 (Fig. 1) is an iron at the bow by which the boat can be attached to anautomobile 4 for towing.

The bottom of the hull extends to its rear end at both sides without curving upward, as indicated at 5--5 but is curved upward between the two sides as shown at 6, Figs. 2 and 3, to form the well 8 is the propeller having a shaft 9 which extends from the power plant l0 rearwardly and downwardly through a bearing at the upwardly sloping portion 6 of the bottom so that the propeller H is positioned within the well I.

I2 is the'rudder, its lower edge. being located to at or a little above the level of the bottom of the boat at 5.

I3 is a partition extending transversely across the interior of the hull at above the position where the bottom begins to rise to form the well [5 1. I311 is a bracket secured to the partion l3 and supporting a bearing for the propeller shaft. The partition l3 forms a compartment I4 at the stern of the boat. Ma is a seat for the operator. I5 is a bracket supporting a wheel l8 at its 0 outer end, and at its inner end secured to a shaft I8 which bears in lugs l1-l1 secured to the upper edge of the side of the boat at the rear thereof so that the bracket shall swing in a vertical plane transverse to the hull of the boat. The bracket I5 is preferably formed 01 W0 tubes [5a united and they turn inward when not in use, to be s ored in'the compartment it upon the portion 5 of the bottom of the boat that rises to form the V well I as shown in broken lines in Figure 3.

' I9 is a securing bracket, which is secured to the outside of the hull 2 in position to secure the bracket IS in operative position. Said bracket 10 has a flange extending horizontally outward and there is a bolt hole extending vertically through said flange. 20 is a locking bar L-sl aped in cross-section at its center and adapted to engage the tubes |5a at its ends. When the bracket 15 i5 is in operative position, the bar 20 is adjusted sothat a hole in its horizontal portion registers with the bolt hole'in the flange of the securing bracket l9 and its ends engaging outside 01' the tubes lid-Ha. and a bolt is passed through 20 said registering holes.

The operation of the above described apparatus is as follows:

When the boat is used upon the water, the brackets 15 and wheels l8 are turned upward 5 and inwardly and stored in the compartment I! as indicated in Figure 3. When it is to be used as a trailer, the brackets are turned outward so that each of the wheels l8 engages the road in an approximately vertical plane, and the locking 0 bar 20 is adjusted to place (Fig. 6) thus securing the wheels in operative position.

The bow of the boat is secured to the automobile in towing position holding it above the clear of the road bed. 86

The propeller and shaft are in the well I above the level of the bottom of the heat so that they will pass over without striking any obstruction while remaining in position adapted to drive the boat when in the water. The shape of the bot- 40 tom over the well I, in longitudinal section, is such as to conform, approximately, to the stream-line, or motion of the passing water, as is the practice in such constructions. It is conventional to have a compartment H at the rear of a boat which is usually used for storage I and is covered by the rear deck. Therefore the rising of the bottom-to form the well I does not diminish the available space for the main purpose of the boat. The partition I3 and the rising portion of the bottom form a good bearing support for the propeller shaft, and the arrange-' ment of the shaft brings it within the storage space of the compartment Il-largely under the stored wheels. When used as a boat, the landing in a plane transverse to said hull so as tobe stored therein, or outward and downward by transverse movement to support said hull in traveling relation, locking means for firmly securing the wheel brackets in downturned operative positions, said hull having a transverse partion forming a compartment at the rear end of said hull adapted to receive and store said wheels and brackets, the bottom of said hull being continued at the sides to the rear end of said hull without curving upward, and intermediate said sides being curved upward forming a well beneath said compartment opening at the rear end of said hull.

2. In combination, a boat hull, a towing attachment at the forward end .of the hull, a pair of brackets having supporting wheels Journalled at their outer ends, means pivotally attaching the inner ends of said brackets to opposite sides oi! said hull at.the rear end 01' said hull so as to swing upward and inward, moving in a plane transverse to said hull so as to be stored therein, or outward and downward transversely to support said hull in traveling relation, locking means for firmly securing the wheel brackets in the operative down turned position, said hull having a transverse partition forming a compartment at the rear end of said hull adapted to receive and store said wheels and brackets, the bottom of said hull being continued at the sides to the rear end of said hull without curving upward, and intermediate said sides being curved upward forming a well beneath said compartment opening at the rear end of said hull, and a propellershaft bearing in said partition and the bottom of the boat where it rises to form said well and locating the propeller in said well.

JOHN V. DAVIS. 

